PACIFIC COAST NEWS.
Cause of Miss Nellie
McCormick's Suicide
a Mystery.
INQUEST AT SAN JOSE.
Witnesses Could Advance No
Reason for the Girl's
Rash Act.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BEFORE-
Had Once Taken Poison, but Seem
ingly Recovered From Her
. Despondency.
SAN JOSE, Cal., Aug. 18.— The mys
tery surrounding the suicide of Miss Nel
lie McCormick, tne talented art student of
San Francisco, who ended her life with a
pistol bullet yesterday, seems destined to
remain unfathomed. ' If the young lady
had met with any jjreat disappointment or
was in trouble her secret died with her. To
all outward appearances she was in the
best of spirits up to the time of her death,
and neither her family nor friends had the
slightest inkling of the broodings that
■were destined to result in a horrible
■ tragedy.
Coroner gecord held an inquest this
niorning at the residence of Dr. J. IT.
Hall Sr. over the body of the unfortunate
• young lady.
The first witness was Mrs. Mary McCor
ipick,. the mother of the deceased. She
testiiifd that her daughter was 20 years of
age and a native of San Francisco. She
could give no possible reason why her
daughter took her life. She had never in
; tiniated suicide, but, on the contrary, had
. often expressed her opinion that it was
cowardly for one to take his own life. The
young lady had always had all her desires
gratified. Her great passion for the study
and practice of art had been fully satisfied.
It was Mrs. McCormicK's intention to take
her daughter to Paris to study in a short
while. The young lady had never had any
disappointments in love or other difficulties,
to her knowledge.
John McCormick, a brother, knew of no
reason why she should have taken her life.
The family had always supposed her
cheerful and contented. For this reason
. her .suicide was a great surprise and shock.
Mi^s Pearl Hall testified that when Miss
McL'urmick entered the house she went
direct to her room. She had a box under
her. arm and she supposed it contained
soap. She asked Miss McCormick if she
had "something good," and received an
evasive but jocular Answer. When she
found "Miss McCormick she was lying in a
nn she often assumed, partly on her
side, with her head hanging over the bed.
Her face was downward.
Dr. J. U. Hall >r. said Miss McCormick
calierl at his office at 1:30. She appeared
to be in the best of spirits and said she
: have to postpone her engagement
with him topaint his portrait, and asked
if. the next day would do as well for the
siting. There was a rip© pear on the
:ind his son, Dr. Graily Hall, said : i
"Mickey, do you want this pear?"
''Mickey' 1 was a pet name by which Miss I
McGornrick was designated by the Hall
family. She accepted the pear. The wit
ness knew no reason why the girl should
take her life.
J. V. Hall Jr. testified that he had ex
amined the wound and found that the
. bullet entered the head above and a little
bac-k of the right ear. From the wound
brain and blood had oozed.
F. Sourisseau, a gunsmith on South
First street, said Miss McCormick en
tered his place of business about 9:30 in
the morning and asked to see a pistol.
He showed her a small derringer, but she
said it was not large enough. He showed
her a 38-caliber and she wanted to rent it.
She seemed disappointed when told that
there were no second-hand pistols in the
shop to rent. She said her brother wanted
it to kill a sick horse with.
A. E. Holmes, an employe of the San
Jose Hardware Company, testified that
Miss McCormick entered the store and
asked to see some pistols, and he showed
her one. She then said she wanted to
rent one for her brother, with which to Jtill
an old hor3e.
He said they did not liave any to rent.
She seemed disappointed, and as he was
pleased with her appearance he told her
he would loan her his. He told her it was
at hig home in East San Jose, and she
offered to go out and get it. He said his
wife didn't.. know where it was, and he
would bring it in when he came from din
ner. When he was returning from dinner
he saw Miss McCormick enter the store.
He then remembered he had disappointed
her, and so took a new one from the show
case, loaded it and gave it to her in a box.
The jury returned a verdict that Miss
McCormick came to her death from a
bullet wound inflicted by herself with
suicidal intent.
The body of the unfortunate girl will be
shipped to San Francisco for interment at
9:12 to-morrow morning.
-DETERMIXED TO DIE.
Mi»s McCormich Mad Once Before Tried
to End Her Life.
The San Francisco friends of Miss Nellie
McCormick can advance no theory to ac
count for the shocking suicide of the girl
at San Jose. To all she was a happy, viva
cious young lady, devoted to the study of
art, and apparently care and love free.
The news of her death came as a terrible
shock to her circle of acquaintances, but
though it was their only topic of conver
sation yesterday, none could advance a
cause for the act.
The young lady resided with her widowed
mother af2648 Folsom street. They have
never lived on Howard street, as stated in
one of the morning papers. Mrs. McCor
mick owns the house and lot at 2648 Fol
som ajid besides this is possessed of con
siderablemoney and other property from
the estate of her husband, Hugh McCor
mick, a California pioneer and in his
lifetime, one of the best-known mining
men on the coast.
Mrs. McCormick, from u\\ acconnts, was
an indulgent mother. She gave her daugh
ter the advantages of a good education,
gratifying her early developed penchant
for art studies in every manner possible.
From the grammar school the young lady
entered the Cogswell Polytechnic Insti
tute and there took a course in free-hand
drawing. Here she gave great promise,
and upon the advice of her instructors de
termined to become a landscape-painter.
About four years ago she entered the San
Francisco Ar.t Association, now known as
the Hopkins Ait Institute, and become a
pupil of James Mathews, the landscape
HIPFCTOPS' MFFTINO ~l PEREMPTORY
(COPY OF MINUTES.) bALb
San Francisco, Saturday, August 17, 1895, 8 o'clock P. M.
OFFICE OF RAPHAEL'S (Incorporated), Nos . 9, 11, 13 and 15 Kearny street. Mft /^V TV T 1"\ A \T
Special meeting of the Directors of said Corporation. \'\ i If tI I Jf\ \^ wmmmmiiam^kmm-vi
Directors met pursuant to notice given by the Secretary of a special meeting of the 1 ▼ mV^JL i Am> m.
Directors for the purpose of defining a course to pursue as to the disposal of goods
damaged by the flood which occurred Sunday, August 11, 1895. , ::DV/ ADr\T7r) /^F"^
President J. W. RAPHAEL in the Chair. ™ —l^ 1B " M I XJ E\ U C \J aT
A. L. FRANK, Secretary.
The roll of Directors being called the following named, constituting a quorum, were . P^tl A DlH\ /"YE?
present: I.RAPHAEL, ' m Lj\Jf\l\jLJ A7T
G. RAPHAEL,
J. M. ROTHCHILD, HinCrTAnC
J. W. RAPHAEL. 1 UKO.
Absent:
o. stiner, The big store's entire stock on the first
£• than ' and second floors which were visited by a
The President made a thorough statement regarding the nature of the damage, the flood last Sunday, and many choice goods
amount of loss caused through the flood and his inability to conduct the business upon j damaged by water, will be sold, irrespective
its regular routine until such goods as were damaged on both floors were removed. ~ _* ™^+ nn - mntl , r nf 41- « *;„,*-+ o-nnHc
The President also reported that the nature of the damage to the goods was severe; OI COST, ana many or T.ne linest gOOQS
that the goods not damaged would have to be sold in sympathy with those damaged, and WIT I f}A POD
asked for suggestions from Directors present. VV 1 L«JL* VJU iv/lx
Upon motion of J. M. ROTHCHILD, duly seconded by GEORGE RAPHAEL, it was unanimously A it/* ir?r^r? CT/^IVT/^ I
agreed to adopt a quick method of selling goods, all losses resulting from the same to „ A iWtiffvt _ll\C_f I
be pro rated, and that the President should see that the same is speedily done; also
that the store be restored tc its former condition as quickly as possible. Such an Opportunity to buy the highest
There being no further business the meeting then adjourned. grades of ciothing at prices that we will
a. l. frank, Secretary. ! name rarely presents itself.
— ■ —^©w-v©^-- — — = rw* h_¥ r^
• 1 I I JL^
fsiiratf^i ji^^^ 1 iic^£ ynn will own at ne^t" =
w JVrSSr .^^r X" lIICIIL \)\\ LIIC 3CCUIIU lIUUI , 11 cllrrht"! J qfr|a oj L a. *i|
/Rj&3 Mar respective of former prices, the __ Monda fora m *
wEftr jtir l. - i <ll Jt ii S° J"onday for a mere sone.
choicest Roods on the floor will go J **
Monday for a mere song. ■ — i-.n.-u-i_n_n_n.
: . . We never handle cheap goods, __
The Men's Hundreds of All Our $6.00, so you know what you can ex- DreSS
The Mens , Hundreds of AH Our $6.00, «*£ IJreSS
Most Trousers, Pairs of Stylish $6.50 and $7.00 Knee Shirts
_ t . tt , iruu-s>crb, CASSIMERF TmncPfc IVncc OUII L»
Fashionable! «w <™>^ »^. trousers «.rh"^Ldbof d 4. • t,,.^^,,,,,
tttJ&XSZSxii Hundreds of Pairs s^f2tw ate , l^Tt^T Z Pants!. --«- - .
?«^^r-« :75 Cents. ==$i.=?o== ==$ioo== aasrtt&XSs 50 Cents
damaged, w.ll go fora mere song. JO VVlltJl *^^'Q^ £»\JU they're going for a mere song. MONDAY.
SALE BEGINS MONDAY AT 9 A. M. STORE OPEN EVENINGS.
/VIAI 4 rli»ltl'fc Merchants in the interior, if W"^ A fJT "W "W" A VU W Ay^ ././.„ Tn -.-» ..«-,-« iir '■-w r
Merchants you want to stock up for the Fall DADHACI 'C SOON T0 BE MADE Were We
<t-l "4-f-«iDk season, take advantage of this W& /"^ ttT^ I 1/^ | . M . 7^^ t-r\ AA A .
11l lOC peremptory sale. You won't be * X. X mjL *11 *^4 **-*4 +*S MORE BEAUTIFUL I O AtteiTlpt
SV.j able tO bUy SUCh goods in the (INOORPORATED), 7 TO OUOTE PRICES We wnnld
City— —I. £« . the money - 9, 11,13 and 15 Kearny Street. than ever. 55.7 »c ry P^ „, SS
painter, who has a studio at 728 Mont
gomery street.
Her ability was apparent from the start
and she received a good deal of encourage
ment from friends and teachers alike. In
the first year she carried off the gold class
medal for excellence in drawing, and for
her second year's work received honorable
mention in an annual competition. Upon
completing her studies at the association
the opened a studio in the same building
with her former instructor, Mr. Mathews.
Miss McCormick was never a steady
worker. Her efforts were spasmodic,
though intense while they lasted. For
days at a time she would do nothing at all,
and then for quite a lone period engage in
the most severe application. She seems to
have had many acquaintances, but few in
timate friends. At all events, there were
few in whom she confided. Miss Katie
Hall, her San Jose friend, with whom she
was stopping when the rash act was com
mitted, probably knew her better than
any one else. She seems to have been
something of a mystery even to her own
mother.
An example of her strange reticence was
shown while she was competing for the
medal in her drawing class at the Art
Association. No one, not even her mother,
knew that she aspired to class honors, and
when she won this testimonial of superior
excellence she put it away at home and
never spoke cf it afterward.
Those who knew her all agree that she
was a strange giri, and all are equally con
vinced that no affair of the heart prompted
the hand of self-destruction. Some inti
mate that she had set her heart upon a
trip to Europe, for the purpose of com
pleting her art studies, and that an oppo
sition from other members of the family
led to dark brooding, which finally resulted
in suicide. This theory, however, does
not seem to be borne out by facts, and
others, when followed for a foundation of
truth, show no better results.
It is certain, though, that Miss McCor
mick determined to end her life some
weeks ago. From a drugstore in the
neighborhood she purchased a one-half
ounce bottle of chloroform under the pre
tense that she needed it for toothache.
Retiring to her room, she swallowed the
contents with suicidal intent. Soon after
she was seized with violent pains and her
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1895.
moans brought Mrs. McCormick to the
room. She hastily summoned Dr. C. A.
Clinton, under whose care she remained
for several days. At first she declared that
it was accidental, but finally admitted that
she wanted to go to sleep and had taken
the poison with the intention of producing
death. As to why she wanted to die she
steadfastly refused to vouchsafe any in
formation whatever. Her answer to all
questions was, "I wanted to go to sleep."
Sne promised Dr. Clinton that she would
not make another attempt and in a few
days seemed herself again. Shortly after
she rode a bicycle to San Jose, in company
with a young man, but returned several
days after, unattended.
When her friends expressed some sur
prise that she should dare to make so long
a trip alone, she answered that she pre
ferred to be alone, and that people bored
her to death.
The young lady did not seem to care for
young men. and as far as can be learhed
had no very close friends among the male
sex. According to those who have known
the family intimately for many years she
inherited many of her father's eccentric
ways. He was a shrewd, reticent business
man, an authority in his time on mining
matters, but little given to the amenities
of life and averse always to close friend
ship. His business ventures were never
known or discussed, even by his own fam
ily, and at the timeof his'demise his will
alone disclosed the amount of his accumu
lation.
Elltnaburg's "l>ry" Sunday.
TACOMA, Wash., Aug. 18.— A special to
the Morning Union from Ellensburg says
that every saloon in that city was closed to
day. It was the first "dry" Sunday the
place ever knew. The movement resulting
in the closing of the saloons originated
with the saloon-keepers themselves. JThey
say that if the people want a "dry" Sun
day they are willing to rest one day in the
week, the same as other people.
To Car* for Arizona's Afflicted. "■"*"
PHOENIX, Aeiz., Aug. 18.— Under the
authority of an act. of the Legislature the
Territorial Superintendent of Schools has
perfected arrangements with the superin
tendent of the California asylum at Berke
ley for the care and education of the
deaf and dumb or blind children of Arizona.
SANTA CLARA FRUIT CROP.
The First Dried Prunes of the
Season Shipped to
Chicago.
Sent East In a Car Ornamented by
Flaring Banners— Prices for
the Product.
SAN JOSE, Cal., Aue. 18.— The lirst car
of dried prunes from the new crop was
shipped from this city yesterday, about
eight days earlier than the shipment last
year. There is always more or less strife
to see who will make the first shipment of
the year. The shipment this year is di
vided between George M. Herbert, the
Sorosis Fruit Company, John B. Herbert
and the Santa Clara Valley Fruit Com
pany.
The shipment was one of the largest car
loads that ever left this city and was con
signed to Chicago. On each side of the
car were flaring banners announcing that
it was the first of Santa Clara's output
this year. In 1894 the first car was for
warded by C. Eoener of Los Gatos on
August 25.
Ralph W. Hersey, manager of the Califor
nia Dried Fruit Agency, in speaking of the
coming canned dried fruit crop, said:
"Prunes are at least ten days earlier in
ripening this year than ever before, and in
consequence there may be a considerable
amount of August shipments of the new
products. If the present fine weather con
tinues the prune-drying will be far in ad
vance of other years. As regards the
prices it may be said that a competitor, in
whom the. growers seem to have implicit
confidence, lias managed to break the mar
ket and to force down the price of the four
sizes, sixty to one hundred, to 4 cents per
pound. Up to the break rhe price seemed
to be quite firm at 4% cents per pound
for the four sizes.
"The market for dried apricots is dull,
owing to the lack of consumptive demand.
This is due to the hot weather in the East
and also to the large quantity of fresh
fruit that is in the market and that will
supply all demands till the latter part of
September. After this time it is expected
that the demand will be sufficient to take
all that is usually sold during the fall
months and there will be carried over for
the spring trade no greater an amount
than is needed to supply that demand.
"The market for dried peaches is very
weak. The trade is indifferent as to fu
tures and offers that come by wire are
ridiculously low. The prices are so far be
low the cost of production as to be of no
interest to peach-growers. There will not
be enough pears dried this year to cut any
figure in the market."
FAST RIDERS TO CONTEST.
Garden City Cyclers Will Attempt to
Lower Bald's Mile Record.
SAN JOSE, Cal., Aug. 18.— The Garden
City Cyclers have decided to pace the con
testants in the mile scratch class B race
with a quad at the Admission day races.
Four of the fastest riders in the State will
be put on the quad, and an attempt will
be made to break Bald's world's record of
1:58 1-5 in competition.
The Garden City Cyclers made a run to
San Carlos to-day to witness the finish
there in the five-mile road race of the
Olympics. A large number of the San
Jose Road Club also attended the race.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY RACES.
East Morses and Crack Cyclers Entered
for the Events.
SAN JOSE, Cal., Aug. 18.— The races of
the Santa Clara County Agricultural
Society, which will commence on Mon
day, September 23, promises to be the
most interesting of any of the society's
annual events. The entries are unusually
numerous, and the track is in excellent
condition. Nearly all the horses on the
circuit have been entered.
Chehalis, the Oregon wonder, will race.
This horse is owned by Frank Frazer of
Oregon, who has just refused $5,000 for
him. This is the first campaign of this
horse, but he has won every heat in which
he started. It is thought that Chehalis
can pace a mile in 2 :05.
Boodle, the San Jose horse, will be in
the races here. Boodle has won every race
in which he started, and has made a good
showing this year. He left San Jose last
month with a record of 2:19^, and last
Friday he won a race in three straight
heats at Napa in 2:15, 2:15^ and 2:20.
The free-for-all pace will be the fastest
and most exciting event of the meet. W.
Wood, Waldo J, Our Dick and Prince Al
mont are entered for this race. All of
them have records under 2:12.
The fair in this city will open on Mon
day, September 23, with a bicycle meet for
the benefit of the association, under the
auspices of the Garden City Cyclers. There
will be balloon ascensions on two days of
the fair, and negotiations are pending to
secure other attractions.
.Vric Schoolhouse for AJri.no.
SAN JOSE, Cal., Ang. 18.— The citizens
of Alviso held an enthusiastic meeting last
night in Armory Hall at that place to con
sider the feasibility of erecting a new
schoolhouse. Addresses were made by
County Superintendent Chipman and L.
B. Wilson. A resolution was adopted in
favor of erecting a new two-story school
house, the cost not to exceed $4000, and
that bonds be issued payable in ten years.
Stole a Silver Watch.
SAN JOSE, Cal., Aug. 18.— Officer Bache
to-day arrested Albert Kaufman on a
charge of petty larceny preferred by
Thomas Moffitt. Kaufman and Moffitt were
rooming at 228 West Santa Clara street,
ana in Moffltt's absence Kaufman entered
the former's room and stole a silver watch.
Kaufman was arrested about a month ago
for forging the name of A. Blender to an
order for $2 50, but Blender refused to
prosecute and Kaufman was discharged.
Burglars Rob a Meat Market.
SAN JOSE, Cal., Aug. 18.— H. M. Mar
tin, who conducts a butcher-shop on West
Santa Clara street, reported to the police
to-day that his shop was entered last night
by thieves, who carried away about forty
pounds of meat. An entrance to the shop
was gained by cutting a screen-door in the
. rear.
ROBBED A PORTLAND BANK
The Peculations of a Cashier
Brought to Light by an
Investigation.
Confessed His Guilt and Turned
Over Property Sufficient to
Cover the Shortage.
PORTLAND, Or., Aug. 18.— Some time
ago the officers of the Merchants' National
Bank here became suspicious of their cash
ier, H. F. McElroy, and they instituted an
investigation into his method of doing busi
ness. He was kept in the dark respecting
their actions until Friday, when the bank
officials became satisfied that their sus
picions were well grounded. For several
days, however, the cashier was closely
watched by Detectives Welch and Barry to
preclude the possibility of his leaving town
should he have gotten an inkling of what
was in progress.
McElroy was called before the directors
on Friday and charged with the theft of
between $15,000 and $20,000 of their funds.
He confessed his guilt, but as he had suffi
cient property to make ample restitution,
he will not be criminally prosecuted.
When McElroy was appointed to the
cashiership about four years ago he, in
order to avoid the exaction of bonds, rep
resented to the directors that he was worth
$20,000, but on Friday he confessed having
at that time made a false statement, as
then he had $600 only. He also stated that
he had made a little fortune out of money
he pilfered from the bank by cooking the
books. The property he turned over is
said to be far in excess of his embezzlement.
McElroy was regarded as an upright,
sober and economical man. He has left
the city, but 110 one knows where he has
gone.
3